Heather Wright/The Independent

The head of the Provincial Junior Hockey League says the Mooretown Flags coaching staff is “expected” to take “training and education” after the league launched a complaint of “toxic behaviour” by coaches on behalf of several players and at least one coach.

Neither the PJHL commissioner nor the president, general manager or head coach of the Flags wanted to comment about what led to the investigation which brought league officials to Mooretown Feb. 20. But The Independent received a copy of the PJHL’s complaint against the team, GM John Baker and Coaches Mark Davis and Jeff Perry.

The eight-page PJHL document outlines some of the concerns of at least two unnamed players and one coach about the “serious verbal and mental abuse” which Davis allegedly doled out. “Players reported repeated instances of degrading language, dismissive communications and public humiliation including name-call, body-shaming comments and remarks that undermined dignity and self-esteem,” said the PJHL’s brief. It added players were subjected to punitive or targeted actions not tied to individual performance including healthy scratches “described as messages to the team.”

Under the heading “psychologically unsafe environment” the brief goes on to say current and former staff characterized an environment with “frequent yelling, emotional volatility and staff discomfort entering team spaces.” It also states Perry was present for the outbursts but did nothing about it.

“Players reported emotional distress, loss of confidence, fear of retaliation, confusion regarding development and diminished trust in leadership. These impacts are inconsistent with Hockey Canada’s commitment to safe, respectful, development-focused sport,” the brief continued.

Several players, the PJHL’s complaint says, took matters into their own hands Dec. 20, asking for a meeting with Team President Bob Barnes. They “expressed concerns regarding their treatment and the overall coaching environment under Head Coach Davis and Assistant Coach Perry.”

The players told Barnes they didn’t want to meet with the teams full executive because GM John Baker and Davis were “close personal friends” and that could impact their ability to speak freely. 

“President Barnes reportedly listened respectfully to the players’ concerns and indicated to the players that Head Coach Davis would be removed or steps toward removal would be taken,” says the PJHL complaint. Barnes later told the players the executive was “aligned with the removal of Head Coach Davis.” The PJHL complaint says Barnes told the players if the GM did not take action, the executive would ensure the coach was removed, adding “these things don’t happen overnight.”

On Jan. 5, one of the players told the PJHL, Barnes told the players “to suck it up and status quo.” 

As the Mooretown Flags headed for the playoffs, Davis and Perry remained behind the bench.

The PJHL exercised its right to step in as a complainant under the leagues Discipline and Complaints Policy with Whiteside acting as the complainant and the PJHL represented by Lawyer Greg Gilhooly. 

On Feb. 20, PJHL representatives travelled to Mooretown to discuss the issues, according to a source familiar with the complaint.

In its document circulated to the Mooretown Flags staff and executive, the league wrote “The PJHL expects its member teams to promote a love of hockey with a respectful environment,” adding teams have to comply with the league’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.

“A toxic culture is highly problematic and must be addressed for a toxic culture is inconsistent with everything the PJHL stands for.”

It also notes coaches have extra responsibilities since the “coach-athlete relationship is a privileged one…Coaches must understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it consciously or unconsciously.”

One of the ways the PJHL’s code lists to do this is by using “inoffensive language.

“The conduct described in this complaint is a clear violation of the code,” the PJHL brief says, adding the coaches created “a toxic environment through repeated breaches of the code” and that the president and GM have “not responded appropriately given their awareness of the improper conduct.

“The world has changed and the hockey world has changed,” the PJHL complaint continues.

“There is no more looking the other way and silently going on with those who prefer the old way of doing business and coaching hockey…Verbal bullying including name-calling, mocking, hurtful teasing, humiliating or threatening another person, comments that are insulting, intimidating, hurtful malicious, degrading or otherwise offensive  – none of this is acceptable.”

The complaint spells out that the league expects organization to investigate complaints fully and take action. “The PJHL was hopeful that Mooretown would voluntarily take appropriate action, the very action that President Barnes appears to have agreed needed to be taken.”

The complaint adds if Davis was removed there was a possibility of reinstatement to the league in the future after “successful completion appropriate education and training.”

The Independent first contacted the league about the investigation two weeks ago but the PJHL did not respond. 

Tuesday, The Independent contacted Davis who said he has not been fired and suggested he was still working with the PJHL.

“We had a discussion before playoffs and all that. As far as I’m concerned, everything (the complaint) was is dead,” he said adding the concerns outlined by the PJHL were “not true.”

GM John Baker declined comment as well, suggesting the PJHL and the team were working together. 

“Nothing’s been completed, so I can’t really talk about anything,” he said Tuesday.

When The Independent reached President Barnes, he said “I’m not going to talk to you, thank you,” and hung up the phone.

The PJHL commissioner was also unwilling to be interviewed by phone but sent a statement by email.

“The PJHL received several complaints with respect to the Mooretown Flags, including a detailed written submission. 

“In response, the PJHL required an observer by the PJHL to be present to monitor team activities… The PJHL takes the safety of its players and participants seriously and believes that the situation was dealt with appropriately in the circumstances.

“As is customary in such matters, the PJHL requires training and education to best promote the PJHL’s values. The PJHL expects that Mooretown will comply with this.”